Indonesia Aims for One Million Forestry Jobs Through green Initiatives
Bandung, West Java – The Indonesian government is targeting the creation of at least one million jobs within the forestry sector over the next three to four years, fueled by a focus on “green jobs” and expanded agroforestry practices. minister of Manpower Yassierli announced the goal during an event in Bandung on Tuesday,emphasizing the crucial role of enhanced human resource development in achieving it.
The initiative is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Manpower and the Ministry of Forestry, centering on training programs designed to equip workers with skills in areas like agroforestry, social forestry, and the application of modern forestry and agricultural technologies.
Minister Yassierli highlighted the potential of agroforestry to simultaneously generate employment and sustainably utilize forest resources for food, energy, and water – a strategy directly aligned with President Prabowo Subianto’s astacita vision for national development.
Currently, an agroforestry training program is in its third phase, involving 388 participants from diverse backgrounds. These include graduates of State Forestry Vocational Schools (SMKKN), young people from rural communities, and residents representing regions including Serang, Medan, Padang, Majalengka, and West Bandung District.
“We are committed to strengthening this program, developing a robust ecosystem, and establishing viable business models,” stated Yassierli, who is also a professor at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB). “This includes investment in processing and downstream industries, which will significantly amplify the impact. Efficient management of agroforestry and social forestry, coupled with a strong work ethic, will be key to maximizing productivity.”
The Ministry plans to further develop the program’s ecosystem to connect producers with “offtakers” – businesses that will purchase agricultural products from agroforestry and social forestry initiatives for further processing and distribution.Yassierli encouraged participants to actively network and continuously refine their skills to remain competitive in a rapidly changing job market.
(Translator: Arnidhya Nur Zhafira,Martha Herlinawati Simanjunt
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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